Hey everyone just wanted to see how everyone is doing this season. So far things have been excellant in central va. I have gone from 13 hives to 60 this season and could have more if i wanted, but i think i will stop there for now...LOL
So i know the winter was harsh for many, how have things turned out?
Just checking up on folks.
Hope all is well.
Doug Ladd
Buckingham VA.
I turned 45 colonies into 149, but just kept 75. All the new ones are headed up by daughters of Tom Glenn's VSH queens. The ones I sold were spread hither and yon.
So in all things have been great!!, but busy. Right now I'm working on getting a syrup feeding system setup. Using a couple of 55 gal. drums, hoses, and gravity. Its costing more then I'd realized with all the fittings, valves, hose, and drum truck to tilt the drums over to get the syrup back out. I've heard air compressor wands are a great way to mix sugar and water. Hope that works!
(07-28-2011 02:08 PM)Buffalo Bee Farm Wrote: [ -> ]Hey everyone just wanted to see how everyone is doing this season. So far things have been excellant in central va. I have gone from 13 hives to 60 this season and could have more if i wanted, but i think i will stop there for now...LOL
So i know the winter was harsh for many, how have things turned out?
Just checking up on folks.
Hope all is well.
Doug Ladd
Buckingham VA.
Congratulations on your increases and good season!
We are working on improved genetics and quality breeding but are not looking to increase hives. Mother nature has been rough again, but quality gets us through and gives hope.
I hope the breeding is going well!
149 hives! wow!
Bill Lord in NC and others use a trash pump system and allows the bypass flow to churn and recycle the syrup and will mix sugar in cold water!
This is the system i will use next year if splitting heavy again. A cheap pump can be had for about $200, plus a tank, hose, etc.
Feeding is my biggest cost right now at an easy 250lbs or more of raw sugar a week if i gave it to them! i cant afford that so i am feeding bi-weekly.
Right now i think 60 hives will be my limit since i work a full time job, have 2 kids with one on the way, a small farm to run, and still have yet to buy a house...
so the bees need to bring in some money first before i expand anymore...
Howdy!
Nice to hear from some of you. Sometimes the season feels like one is in a vacuum.
We had a good year this year so far: we actually had nectar coming in for all of May, June and July.
Raising queens is much easier with available nectar for the colonies.
Crosses made this season look very promising. Next Spring we'll see who's around and then graft from them.
Look for upcoming posts on organizing a breeding meeting/demo/class/camp-out for next year.
Also keep your eyes peeled for an update on how two breeders were able to use semen provided by the USDA Bee Breeding Lab.
Adam Finkelstein
Adam,
I look forward to the upcoming topics...